A seven-year-old girl from Featherstone is peddling for a charity close to her heart

Brooke Brightmore, a 7-year-old from Featherstone, has cycled 50 miles over the course of June to help her family's husky rescue charity

The young cyclist learned to ride her bike just two months ago and is utilising her lockdown time to raise funds for 8Below Husky Rescue Charity, which is run by her mum, Jade.

Jade and the charity trustees feared for the worst when the pandemic began, as they thought the charity would fold.

But determined young Brooke wanted to help and her fundraising efforts will go towards the welfare and facilities of the huskies and malamutes in the charity’s care.

Mum Jade said: “I was panicking at the beginning of lockdown, the charity doesn’t get government help and all the funds we raise comes from events and all the events this year have had to be cancelled.

“Brooke loves helping the events team, who do a lot of tombolas and fundraising, and it was her idea to do a sponsored bike ride of 50 miles over the course of a month.

“Brooke has always been a big part of the charity, she loves animals and really cares about their welfare, she’s been around the huskies all her life.

“She only learned to ride her bike without stabilisers a couple of months ago, it was a big struggle for her, but she was so determined so I’ve been supporting her through it.

“She’s done so many different routes throughout the month and she’s done incredibly well.

“Some of her friends have joined in on a few routes with us to show their support.”

The mother-daughter duo used May as their training month, with Jade even buying a bike to support her daughter on her fundraiser.

So far, Brooke has raised £1,650, despite her initial target which was set at £500.

Tomorrow is the last day of her bike ride, with just eight more miles to go, she will finish at Thornes Park in Wakefield.

Jade said: “I’m so incredibly proud of her, it makes me think that if a child at that age can achieve a self set challenge like that, then adults like myself can look at that and take inspiration.

“I’ve struggled personally with a lot of the lockdown stresses and Brooke has been my motivation.

“ She’s been so determined throughout with no doubt in her mind whatsoever, even in the thunder and lightning Brooke has been wanting to go out and cycle more miles.”

Jade has been helping her daughter keep track of her miles using the Strava exercise app.

Donations and messages of appreciation have been flooding into Brooke’s donation page on Facebook, where regular updates of her progress are posted.

Brooke said: “I have been around huskies and malamutes my whole life and when I see them abandoned and looking for new homes it makes me feel sad.

“I wish all animals had a happy life and families that loved them, I have always helped my mummy and visited the dogs in kennels and I like to give them treats and new toys.

“I want to raise enough pennies to be able to look after the dogs with no families, like we look after ourselves and our dogs.

“I hope one day people see rescue dogs as special as I do because they really are the bestest friends you can ever wish for.”

To donate to Brooke's cause, see Brooke's Peddling for pounds Facebook page